Paying a minimum

[martymonty]

Hi
I've been providing quality daycare in my home for 27+ years. A number of years back I decided to send home an information package for parents, listing my rates, hours of care that I am available, medical forms, etc.
I stated in these papers that I have a 3 day minimum and explain it to the families when they come for an interview that it's like I am on salary, you pay for the 3 days regardless, if you need my services more, you add it on.
I am constantly being questioned come payday by parents if they have only been there 2 days. They hand me my cheque and it's only for the 2 days.
How should I handle this. I've tried telling them I do the same for every family in my care, that this is my minimum and that I feel I am being more than fair as some daycares only except children full weeks. I'm getting tired of grandma, auntie, friend offering to take the child, then the parent docks me the days pay.
Any suggestions how to get the point across so this stops happening and now. You'd really think we were paid a fortune the way some families act

[SecondAve]

What if you required payment the week prior, that way there never needs to be a discussion about it. All my dcp pay the week before care is required, some pay bi-weekly. Always in advance.

[martymonty]

yes, I have tried to make that happen, but this one particular parent always "forgets" my cheque. She says that since I am off some Fridays, and it's a day she sometimes needs, that she does not want to have to pay, yet during my other days some weeks, she'll get grandma or grandpa to watch the little one and wants to dock my pay. It's really starting to make me question whether I should keep this child or not if I am always going to be questioned on my paycheque. I held their spot open with one day a week for 18 months while the dad was securing full time work, did without two days pay each week and during that time, they went on two trips I've always said it's pretty sad that parents will pay more to board their pets, then they want to pay for quality daycare

[BlueRose]

have them pay inadvance and tell them they are paying for enrollment not by day. The want you to hold 3 days a week, they pay for 3 days weather or not they use them.

[Judy Trickett]

yes, I have tried to make that happen, but this one particular parent always "forgets" my cheque.

It's not your problem if they forget their cheque. That's THEIR responsibility and, therefore, their problem. So, next time they "forget" their cheque you tell them that's fine but the late fee for not paying on time is $20 per day. And when they come on Monday you demand your payment, WITH the late fee or they don't get to leave their child. Yes, I mean that too! you only have to turn away a parent, WITH their child, once to make them go to the ATM and they will never "forget" again.

If parents pay you late then it is YOU that allow that to happen. It's always on YOU. We teach people how to treat us. So teach them differently.

Also, have them all pay you the 3 day minimum in advance. All my families pay me in advance for care so that I am never chasing money. So, for this next week you have them pay you on MONDAY for three days for THAT week. The next Monday they pay you again for the three days PLUS the extra days they used the week before. At least this way you are getting your three days in advance every week. And that makes it very simple.....if they show up on Monday mornings and "forgot" their cheque you simply turn them away at the door.

[playfelt]

My pays are on Monday as well. I also have the three minimum if your days vary. Otherwise they choose the days they need and book those in the contract so if a parent needs Tues and Thurs they pay for two days (although the daily rate is more than my normal daily rate). But that is the only days they may use. I then advertise to find another client needing some or all of the remaining days. If your days vary then you pay at minimum the three day rate and it isn't about how many days you actually come it is about me holding the days available for you and not making it a shared space arrangement. So you are paying for the days to be there should you need them.

I think what you need to do is explain to the parent that they are paying the rate for the space to be there and not by the number of days used. The alternate method is to charge a weekly reservation fee for the space and then another amount for each day used. The idea being you know from the get go what the minimum amount of money you will receive is so you can budget accordingly.

[Crayola kiddies]

Yup all my families pay in advance too (on Fridays by 5pm for the following two weeks) ....I only accept cash or emt and I too have a 3 day minimum
I would tell the family the rules in plain English .... You pay in advance (tell them the amount required so there is no mistake) and if you use an extra day or two then You add it on to the next pay period. Put it in writing and have them sign it and put an expiry date on it ..... Such as " please sign and date this form and return it to me by xxxxx. Failure to return the form by xxxxx will signify that care is no longer required "

[Judy Trickett]

Put it in writing and have them sign it and put an expiry date on it ..... Such as " please sign and date this form and return it to me by xxxxx. Failure to return the form by xxxxx will signify that care is no longer required "

Yes, I agree. I also do this too. You have two or more payment "problems" and you are terminated here. Seriously, I don't think it's too much to ask to be paid on time.

[Sandbox Sally]

It's not your problem if they forget their cheque. That's THEIR responsibility and, therefore, their problem. So, next time they "forget" their cheque you tell them that's fine but the late fee for not paying on time is $20 per day. And when they come on Monday you demand your payment, WITH the late fee or they don't get to leave their child.

YEP. I charge a late payment fee, too. I would not accept the cheque if it wasn't for the right amount. I would send out a letter to every parent reminding them that they agreed to the terms of your contract, and that there is a three day minimum for every child.